Statement from Rep. Summer Lee on the Ceasefire Agreement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact

Vaibhav Vijay, Vaibhav.Vijay@mail.house.gov | (771) 215-7243
Kyla Gill, Kyla.Gill@mail.house.gov | (412) 841-7913

Statement from Rep. Summer Lee on the Ceasefire Agreement

The ceasefire agreement announced two days ago is a critical and overdue step in ending the relentless violence that has devastated countless lives. The release of hostages and the promise of increased humanitarian aid are welcome developments, but the immense human and structural toll of this genocide will take decades to repair—if ever. The enduring suffering and trauma endured by Palestinians in Gaza and the rising toll of this conflict underscore the urgency of doing more.

This ceasefire must not be the end of our efforts but the beginning of a decisive shift in U.S. policy. For too long, our military funding and political cover have enabled devastating violence and the erasure of Palestinian lives and rights. The Biden administration—and Congress—must support an arms embargo to prevent further atrocities, hold those responsible for war crimes accountable, and immediately facilitate rebuilding efforts in Gaza.

The path to a just and lasting peace is clear: an end to the occupation, the blockade of Gaza, and the apartheid policies that deny Palestinians their basic rights. We must fully support Palestinian self-determination and liberation, as justice for Palestinians is inseparable from lasting peace for both Palestinians and Israelis.

This moment demands not only words but action. True peace cannot coexist with occupation and oppression. The global community—and the United States in particular—must commit to the vision of a future rooted in equality, dignity, and justice for all people in the region.

Let us move forward with resolve to ensure that this ceasefire becomes the foundation for lasting peace, not a prelude to more devastation.